2013 Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Riesling

Cracka Rating

Cracka Review

Strictly speaking there isn't much of a cliff near this vineyard. A hill edge maybe but not quite a cliff. Look up above though and there is a mighty big hill (Mount Langi Ghiran) looking very spooky. For all of that mystery though, this place doesn't get much love for Riesling. Well, not enough love. Truth be told this wine, like the rest of the Langi Riesling range, is smart stuff. Powerful, limey and intense, softened only by a few years in bottle (probably needed for a wine as concentrated as this).

Winemaker's Notes

Cliff Edge Riesling is sourced from two pristine sites at Mount Langi Ghiran; the Langi Old Block Riesling planted in 1975 makes up the core of this blend, with the remainder harvested from our Hollows vineyard – a marginally warmer site on the northern slopes of Mount Langi Ghiran. Langi’s very cool climate, together with granite sands and minimal irrigation delivers great purity and stunning natural acidity. The Hollows brings beautifully lifted floral and spice aromas, and wonderful texture and generosity to the palate. Together, the two create an intense and balanced wine with great cellaring potential. The Langi Geisenheim clone consistently produces wines with lifted floral and spice aromas complementing the citrus and mineral acidity. A cool, clean ferment with neutral yeast allows the varietal character and vineyard expression to shine.

expert reviews about

2013 Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Riesling

Expert Reviews

Campbell Mattinson (2013 Vintage) says

The Grampians are rarely mentioned when riesling is mentioned; this gives that notion a shake.
It’s quite a full style but it’s ripped with spicy flavour and gives the finish a thorough going over. Pear, apple and talc notes get the chatter humming but the climax of zesty lime and spice notes is the real game changer.

93

Nick Stock (2011 Vintage) says

The Cliff Edge Riesling is a composed and restrained style, with wild dried mountain flowers and fine apple blossom notes, some bright, crunchy acidity here, and a wealth of lime flavour, finishing fine, dry and smooth.

Good Wine Guide 2013

92

James Halliday (2011 Vintage) says

Produced from the estate plantings from between '71 and '93. The highly scented bouquet of lime, apple blossom and talc leads into a deliciously fresh and intense palate following precisely in the footsteps of the bouquet, the finish as clear and fresh as a spring day.

Till 2021

Australian Wine Companion

94

James Halliday (2010 Vintage) says

2020

Australian Wine Companion 2012

93

Jeremy Oliver (2010 Vintage) says

Faintly sweet, with length, style and balance, it's scented with fresh, floral aromas of stonefruit, apple and pear. Underpinned by a fine minerality and chalkiness, it's rather funky and reductive, with piercingly fresh fruit backed by smoky, leesy complexity. It finishes savoury with fresh acids.

The Australian Wine Annual

91

James Halliday (2009 Vintage) says

So beautifully balanced in its mouthfeel, it's easy to overlook the inherent complexity; apple, lime, pear and mineral all take turns to strut their stuff, the finish long and complete.

To 2020

Australian Wine Companion 2011

94

Tyson Stelzer (2009 Vintage) says

Exciting and racy, this is a wine that will live happily into the medium-term. Peach, lime zest and preserved lemon flavours sit comfortably amid ultra-fine minerality and a zesty, fresh finish.

94

James Halliday (2008 Vintage) says

Very crisp, lively and fresh; a wine that reinforces the right of the Grampians to be regarded as a top-class Region for riesling, the green apple, citrus and pear flavours delicate yet intense.

Australian Wine Companion 2010 2009

94

James Halliday (2007 Vintage) says

Bright straw-green; has good depth to the flavour, with ripe apple and some tropical components; enough to build on.

Australian Wine Companion 2009 2008

89

James Halliday (2006 Vintage) says

A rich, spatlese style, the sweetness evident from the word go; supple and smooth in wannabe Mosel style, but needed a touch more acidity; 60-year-old vines. Will develop.